Sodium borohydride → 2,3,5,6-Tetrafluoro-4'-hydroxymethyl-biphenyl-4-carboxylic acid methyl ester

2,3,5,6-Tetrafluoro-4′-formyl-biphenyl-4-carboxylic acid methyl ester (1.26 g, 4.03 mmol) was dissolved in methanol (30 mL) and cooled to −10° C. Sodium borohydride (0.76 g, 20.19 mmol) was added portion wise and reaction mixture stirred by maintaining the same temperature. The progress of the reaction was monitored by TLC. After completion, the reaction mixture was concentrated to dryness. The obtained residue was redissolved in ethyl acetate (50 mL) and washed with water (20 mL×2) followed by brine, dried over anhydrous sodium sulphate and concentrated to get colorless solid (1.1 g, 86.75%).